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The Perfect Chocolate Tea Straw!

01 May 2017 83 Comments

by Ritu in Foodie Pics, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Chocolate, Chocolate Straws, Food Treats, KitKat, Sausage Party, Tea, Twirl

I know, the majority of you are probably wondering what I am going on about!

Well, actually, if you are following me on Instagram (and if you’re not… why not? Here I am! @phantom_giggler!) you will have seen my food… healthy and otherwise, and my recent experiment, for scientific purposes of course!

It may be the cause of my slight weight gain, rather than loss, but I’m sorry, you only live once and I won’t be without chocolate!

Anyway… back to the topic in hand.

Way back when I was at university… over 20 years ago (Eeeek! Oldie me!) I discovered a great way to ‘Have a Break, Have a KitKat’!

Basically, you nibble the ends of a KitKat finger, dip it into your tea, and suck!

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Yes, really!

The tea slowly seep up through the wafer, softening it, and melting the chocolate, and then you eat the slightly soft finger…Yum!

Ok, so that may either make some of you heave, but there will be a few of you who are no itching to put the kettle on and rush out to get a KitKat!

Two of my colleagues saw the photo above on Instagram and a conversation started about them wanting to try it, so me, being the big sis kinda gal that I am, bought them both KitKats the next day, for them to have a go during their planning time, with their cuppas!

The staff work room was full and they had a few strange looks, but also some suggestions:

“How about a KitKat Chunky?” Erm, I couldn’t possibly suck on something so large…! ;P

“What about a Cadbury’s Twirl?” No, that would be like cheating on my KitKat!

Then today I was waiting in the check out queue at Toys’R’Us and was feeling peckish. The customer ahead of me was being a pain in the butt, trying to wangle discounts (which he did get, in the end!) and eventually, I reached for the confectionary that is conveniently placed right by the till.

What was staring me in the face?

A Twirl bar!

And it was saying “You know you wanna suck on me…” (Sorry, watched Sausage Party last night, I am a bit affected!) so before I knew it, the Twirl was in my pile of things to buy.

I didn’t succumb to it straight away.

So tonight I thought I should conduct a scientific experiment.

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I had to make sure it was fair so I set up my experiment in the same way as I had with my KitKat. Same cup of tea, same stool, same person testing (Me!)

I nibbled the ends, I dunked, and I sucked.

And the Twirl melted. It was in one piece long enough for me to get it back into my mouth, but just dissolved into a mouthful of chocolatey yumminess!

Which would win? The KitKat or the Twirl, as a perfect Tea straw?

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I am not a fickle person. It is not easy to convert me once I like something, and I am afraid that this was no different!

KitKat wins HANDS DOWN! What with that substance you get from the slightly tea-logged wafer, it beats a sloppy melted Twirl 100%!

Now its down to you fellow Chocolate and Tea lovers!

Have a go! Experiment!

Let me know what you think. Which one is your favourite?

Or have you tried this with another chocolate bar that I need to ‘research’ for scientific purposes, obviously? ;P

Happy Sucking Peeps!!!

Ritu’s Healthy Eating – Week 37 – #icandothis

21 Apr 2017 25 Comments

by Ritu in Foodie Pics, Health, Recipes, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Easter, Health, Healthy Eating, Recipe, Slimming World, spaghetti, Weight Loss

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So I guess the important thing to tell you all is that I didn’t put any more weight on!!!

I’d be lying if I said I was really good, the tail end of the holidays, combined with the stress of going back, and the fact that I have a lesson observation hanging over my head means that I am neither eating well, or sleeping properly! (4 hours last night!)

But alongside the (extremely) naughty I was good too!

So here are some yummy pics!

And a quick recipe

Slimming World Friendly Spaghetti Bolognaise

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Ingredients

I shan’t put amounts as I don’t measure things out, but you use as much or as little as you want! Add any other vegetables if you want, it only bulks your Speed up!!!

Dry Spaghetti
Low fat Lamb/Beef/Turkey mince
Minced Garlic
Diced Onions
Chopped Mushrooms
Diced Peppers
Tomato Puree
Tomato Passatta
Dried Mixed Herbs
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cheese if you want (Can be taken out of your HexA allowance)
Frylight spray for cooking.

Method

Put your spaghetti on to boil as per packet instructions
Spray your pan with Frylight
Brown garlic and onions
Add mushrooms and peppers and soften. Add a little tomato puree
In a separate pan, brown your mince, with a tiny Frylight spray so it doesn’t stick.
Once browned, drain any fat and add to the softened veg.
Stir well then add the tomato passatta
Season with salt and pepper and add a sprinkle of mixed dried herbs
Allow to simmer on a low heat for 10 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
Drain your cooked spaghetti.
Plate up and sprinkle cheese if you desire.
Serve with a large side salad, or if you’re feeling decadent, then a little piece of garlic bread! Make it SW friendly by using a wholemeal roll (HexB) and syn the butter!)

That’s my lot this week peeps! Have a wonderful week, I hope I get back on track properly by next week, but with this observation looming, I’m not sure!!!!

Enjoy!!!

Speed is the name given to certain fruit and vegetables that have a filling quality about them, and are easily digestible. They are great for weight loss! HexA and HExB are allowances for Slimming Worlders. HexA is calcium intake, so will include certain amounts of milk and cheeses, and HexB is fibre, so includes certain amounts of wholemeal bread, cereals, nuts and any stewed fruits. If you are following Slimming World, make sure you stick to your allowances!

Ritu’s Healthy Eating – Week 35 #icandothis

07 Apr 2017 44 Comments

by Ritu in Foodie Pics, Health, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Health, Healthy Eating, Slimming World, Weight Loss

Let me start by saying “Oops!”

No maintaining here this week I’m afraid! Too much fun, and eating plenty meant a gain of 1.5lbs but as I am still way below my 9 and a half stone limit, I think that’s ok!

I have enjoyed much food with my parents, eating naughtily as well as healthy!

As you an see, a mix of naughtiness, and good stuff!

Because of the holidays we are eating more relaxed, and I am quite happy with that. I am encouraging the kids to walk more, so hopefully that will be a good thing this week!

No recipe this week, purely because I haven’t the time!

Enjoy your Healthy Eating this next week Peeps!

Featured on Nandos UK Instagram Feed!

20 Jan 2017 15 Comments

by Ritu in Foodie Pics, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, instagram, Nandos

How cool is this!

I posted a pic on Instagram a few weeks ago, of my Nandos meal, and they contacted me to ask if I’d mind them sharing the image, with full credit to me!

I was very chuffed! Here it is on @nandosuk !